Aetna Therapists in Hillsboro, OR

Jess Gunderson is a licensed marriage and family therapist through the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists. Jess holds a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Saint Mary’s University, an AAMFT approved and COMAFTE accredited program. Jess has received specialized training in non-directive play therapy, sand tray therapy, art therapy, and somatic experiencing. Jess specializes in trauma-based work with children, teens, adults, couples, and families.

I firmly believe that each and every one of us does the best we can. I work with adults, teens, youth and families. I approach teens and youth just as I do adults, in a respectful, supportive, and understanding manner. I work to understand the root of the "problem," so healing may begin. I specialize in trauma, skills training, parent training, anxiety, and depression. For 12 years I worked at an inpatient setting with emotionally disturbed youth and their families. I have educated myself in a multitude of treatment modalities in order to meet each client where they are at.

Online sessions are available to all Oregon residents through a secure video platform. I believe my role as a counselor involves many functions, which include providing clients with a safe, compassionate, respectful environment to help them learn more about themselves. I believe everyone can make positive, real, healthy, and practical changes in their life.

Are you confused? Exhausted? Scared? I can help. I have a unique understanding of unhealthy relationships and how they operate. Most relationships start out hopeful and happy. Many turn at some point and this is where confusion lives. My philosophy is simple...break down where it went wrong and rebuild from there. This takes a lot of work, and a lot of commitment, I won't sugar-coat...but it can be done. Or, perhaps you have issues with non-intimate relationships, maybe a parent, sibling, or child. Or maybe your child has conflicts with your ex. This too can be made healthier.

I believe relationships have long-lasting healing power. Romantic, parent/child, friendship, or even your relationship with yourself, when these bonds are healthy, they help heal many wounds. But sometimes things get in the way of your goals for your life and relationships – trauma, beliefs that hurt instead of help, new mental health symptoms, or behaviors that aren’t working for you. I come alongside clients and help them learn new ways to understand and cope with these issues. One of my favorite things is helping couples learn to change unhealthy patterns and build the relationship they’ve always dreamed of.

I believe that a healthy outlook comes from having a good grasp of your ABC's... Accept, Balance, Cope. People often say things like, "I need to let it go," or "I need to forgive ____," etc. But we rarely talk about what it means to do that. Those phrases mean accepting that life is what it is--a balance of both good and bad--and making a choice to focus on the things we CAN change. Then "it" can stop directing our lives--we cope. Whether you need to let go of anger, fear, or sadness, I can help!

Great relationships don't happen by accident. I can help you learn how to have one. Whether it is a relationship with yourself, your family, your boss or your significant other, they all have one thing in common. It's good communication. Communication is one of the top three problems in relationships. Over the years I've found that if you can handle good communication you can then handle almost anything. Why don't you let me know what your needs and goals are, then we can start there.

You have innate worth and the potential for emotional, relational, and spiritual wholeness, growth, satisfaction, and purpose. You may be hungering to really believe that. Maybe you have tried without success to release the worry, lift your spirits, break that habit, change how you handle stressors, nurture that relationship, move out of conflict, or increase your sense of connection. Does it seem like no matter what you do, the obstacles between you and emotional, relational, or spiritual peace are too many or too big? Are you feeling overwhelmed? Confused? Defeated? You can have a greater sense of hope and harmony.

The LifeSTAR program is a treatment program to help individuals who struggle with sexual addiction and other unwanted sexually compulsive behaviors. Each phase builds on the previous one for a long-term and comprehensive approach to eliminating compulsive sexual behaviors. The LifeSTAR program is a nationally recognized treatment program that is run by licensed therapists who are trained in sexual addiction recovery. Participants receive workbooks and other materials to help them in their recovery work. The phases are designed to gently uncover and heal those patterns that create and maintain addictive behaviors.

As a therapist, my goal is multifaceted. I want to help you develop an expanded awareness of your deeply held values and beliefs, show you the path to healing your past wounds, provide you with tools to skillfully face life's challenges, and assist you in developing the courage to live with authenticity and purpose. I bring a warm, genuine, and compassionate approach to the work I work with adults, couples, and groups. I use a variety of approaches, strategies, and tools, each tailored to the individual needs of my clients.

I believe that as humans we all experience suffering, and sometimes those negative experiences can impact the way we view ourselves, others, and the world. Stressful or traumatic experiences can lead to depression, anxiety, sleep issues, avoidance, and negative thoughts and emotions, including anger, guilt or shame. Many mental health issues and destructive patterns are developed out of difficult or traumatic experiences which are stored in our emotional memory networks and have yet to be processed in an adaptive way.

At some point in our lives, it is not uncommon to find ourselves struggling with the unexpected life situations brought on by medical conditions, disability, or the demands of work, family, health and life. I am specialized in the treatment of emotional adjustment difficulties brought on by neurological and medical conditions, disability, brain injury, work-life balance, caregiving demands, and demanding academic and professional careers. Specifically, I work with ordinary people attempting to cope with demanding and the oftentimes unexpected twists and turns of life.

I work with children and families who are experiencing difficulties in a number of different areas or who just need support as they go through different phases of life. I have experience working with parents with children whose age range from newborn to young adult. I also have experience working directly with children as young as 3 to young adult. I am skilled in supporting children and parents experiencing struggles with anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, significant transitions in life, LGBTQ+ difficulties, and custody concerns.

Not taking new Clients. Individual adult therapy that utilizes an integrative & holistic approach, by working in the present moment. My intention is to offer a nurturing & compassionate place to share & grow, while exploring what you need. In session, I will help you consciously wire in cognitive thought patterns that correlate with somatic (body) states, that connect you with your strengths. I teach experiential, mindful practices that cultivate insights & awareness that will help you notice, pause, & breathe. When we remember to tune into practices that build & support resilience, it is easier to maintain a healthier well-being.

At the Pacific Interprofessional Clinic, our licensed clinical psychologist provides mental and behavioral health services and our physical therapist provides physical therapy services. We will be expanding services in the fall of 2021 to include a certified Physician Assistant who will collaborate with the rest of the clinical team to treat our patients.

Life is full of transitions. Sometimes you choose the transition; often the transition is thrust upon you. However they happen, transitions can be disorienting and disruptive. Even good transitions can be difficult to navigate. They challenge you emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually, and relationally. Yet, transitions also offer an opportunity to challenge old habits and start new ones. They provide fertile ground for growth, to become more fully who you were created to be. Maybe you're in a transition right now - or considering one - and you're looking for a skilled guide and an accepting environment to work it through.

I am a solution focused therapist who provides treatment for a variety of emotional-social difficulties, including mood disorders, couples counseling, parenting, work conflict and addictions. I have a tremendous amount of respect for clients and their courage to share vulnerable aspects of their lives. I work with men, women, college students, couples, and families to help develop healthy coping skills. I appreciate and respect my clients in their journey to understand themselves and find greater peace in their lives.

Psychological distress is a signal that reflects unaddressed concerns in a person's life which are calling out for attention. I work with people to help them identify and address these concerns. Through facing these concerns a person can often find ways to reduce their distress, find resolutions to problems, and may open a doorway into a more fulfilling life. Paradoxically, the challenges that come our way are often essential to our continued development. While it can be difficult to face these challenges, in retrospect people sometimes discover that they hold the keys to our continued growth.

**No current availability** I offer psychotherapy services to adults from all cultures, genders, religions, sexual, and economic backgrounds. I am an independent practitioner at the Firefly Institute in Hillsboro, Oregon at Hawthorn Farm Station. Clients experiencing emotional distress due to life transitions, past trauma, codependency and those in helping positions with compassion fatigue/vicarious trauma are who I most often work with.

Are you trying your best and still struggling emotionally? Intrusive thoughts may be leaving you restless or down and engaging in unhealthy behaviors to get through it. I offer compassionate support to help you learn helpful ways to cope and live a healthier quality of life. My practice intentionally creates a space of healing and I center BIPOC (especially Latinx and immigrant) and queer individuals to not just survive but to thrive.